Belize’s Copalli Rum removes more carbon than it emits

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Carbon Herald or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Copalli Rum, produced in southern Belize, has achieved a climate-positive status by removing more carbon from the atmosphere than it emits
• A third-party verified analysis shows each bottle removes 5.5 kg of CO₂e, thanks to regenerative agriculture, zero-waste production, and a fully local supply chain

🔭 The context: Unlike traditional carbon offsetting, Copalli employs “insetting,” investing in soil health and biodiversity within its own operations
• With rising scrutiny over offset credibility, this approach offers a more integrated and transparent climate strategy
• Copalli’s production is powered by renewable biomass, and organic waste is reused, reinforcing its closed-loop model

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Copalli provides a tangible example of regenerative business in action — one that strengthens ecosystems, supports communities, and sequesters carbon. Its model could inspire wider adoption of insetting and regenerative agriculture in sectors with high environmental footprints. Key challenges include scalability and maintaining transparency across growing operations.

⏭️ What's next: As global buyers prioritize sustainability, Copalli may set a new benchmark for climate-positive consumer goods
• Its approach could influence beverage sector procurement and encourage regulators and certification bodies to reward insetting over offsets
• The company is expected to continue investing in local ecosystems and training programs as demand for its rum grows

💬 One quote: “Our negative carbon footprint isn’t the finish line, it’s just the start of our journey.” — Wil Maheia, Chief Sustainability Officer, Copalli Rum

📈 One stat: Each bottle of Copalli Rum removes 5.5 kg of CO₂e from the atmosphere, as verified by EarthOptics and Preferred by Nature

Click for more news covering the latest on sustainable agriculture